Hate To Love You

1

                       ~🌹Elora🌹~

As she descended the stairs, "you're leaving again?" I asked, already knowing the answer without her having to respond.

I didn't need a mirror to know my expression was blank. It was an expression I've trained to hide my feelings after countless experiences with having them shattered.
I made sure my expression never betrayed the little hope I held. Hope that for once in as far back as I could remember, she would say no.

"We have to honey. You know that right?" My adoptive mom spoke snuffing out whatever feelings of hope I had.

Following behind her, was one of the three maids who was pulling a huge designer suitcase down the winding stairs.

I nodded not saying a word in response to what she'd said. I had no idea why I hoped this day would be different. It was my birthday but then again what difference did that fact make.

Right on cue, my adoptive mom, Sophia said "Happy birthday darling Lora" pulling me into a hug.
"Thanks mom" I responded drily, once again keeping my emotions out of my voice.

Each year after the first year of my adoption, that was all I got. If I predicted correctly, a few expensive gifts would follow before they left. I never got what I truly wanted despite me dropping hints every year that had gone by and I'd become accustomed to it.

While the maid took the suitcase to the car, Sophia and I settled on the couch enveloped by an awkward silence since we both had no common topic of interest.

"So... How's school?" Sophia asked once the silence was begining to stretch for too long.

"It's fine. I'm starting at the new school tomorrow" I responded, catching surprise in her eyes for a fleeting moment. For some reason, that saddened me even when somewhere, I'd been expecting it.

I didn't speak a word after that and neither did she but I saw guilt weighing heavily in her eyes and expression.

I brushed it aside already used to seeing it to the point that I didn't feel even the slightest prick at the sight. 

"Ready honey?" River's booming voice accompanied by the sound of foot steps coming down the stairs cut through the obviously building tension.

"Yes. I'm downstairs dear" Sophia responded to her husband, who was my adoptive father, standing and adjusting her dress.

After Sophia received a brief peck on her cheek, River walked up to me.

He placed a kiss on my forehead saying "We're going to miss you so much Lora. Happy birthday." I smiled stiffly at his words. If they really did, then they wouldn't be leaving on my day.

"I didn't have the time to get you something but I already sent some money to your account. Spoil yourself..." at his words, he paused, thinking of something before adding "...but not too much ok. Be good Lora. We'll see you in a week or two."

I nodded, not in the mood to prolong the conversation and feed their thoughts with false assumptions that I was fine with this.

"Your gift is on your bed in your room darling." Sophia said with a smile and after a few words exchanged, they left.
 
I stood with my back pressed to the huge double doors of the building which was now completely silent and seemingly empty to outsiders that didn't know myself and three other people lived here.
I stared into nothingness for a while before I felt a single tear drop roll down my left cheek.

They'd just left without looking back. It was my day. My birthday and they'd just left. River hadn't even gotten me a gift this time.

As the weight of feelings I'd been holding back crashed down on me, I decided against doing anything for the rest of the day, directly pulling myself off the doors and headed straight up to my room, taking a long shower before falling asleep.